ANOTHER DEFEAT

ANOTHER DEFEAT
David Davies / PA via Associated Press

West Indies faced another humiliating defeat when they crashed to 124-runs against England in the third One-Day International (ODI) at the Gloucestershire Cricket Ground, England on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017.

Despite a swashbuckling 94 from opener Chris Gayle none of the other batsmen were able to chase the 370 runs for victory and were all out for a paltry 245 in 39.1 overs.

Gayle struck nine fours and six sixes from 98 balls before he was run out on 94 from a direct throw by Adil Rashid.

The regional team lost their last six wickets for 53 runs in the space of 55 deliveries with Liam Plunkett staring for England with the ball, taking 5 for 52 from 8.1 overs and Adil Rashid showing support with 3-34 from six overs.

Batting first, England were in trouble at 6 for 217 but inconsistent bowling and shoddy fielding by the West Indies, the hosts were able to reach 369 for nine wickets in their 50 overs with Moeen Ali scoring 102 and Joe Root making 84 from 79 balls.

West Indies conceded 123 runs in the last 10 overs of the innings and dropped Ali no less than three times as he added 117 from just 77 balls for the seventh wicket Chris Woakes.

Ali reached l00 runs from 53 balls — the second fastest by an Englishman — with his eighth six.

West Indies medium pace bowler Miguel Cummings took 3 for 82 while Captain Jason Holder got 2 for 81.

The result meant that the West Indies team now trails 0-2 in the five-match series, following their eight-wicket defeat in the first One-Day International at Old Trafford and a no-result in the second at Trent Bridge because of rain.

In the first One-Day, West Indies batting first could only manage 2013 for nine, which was reduced to 42 overs per side after rain had delayed the start.

Opener Chris Gayle (37) and Even Lewis (11) put on 45 for the first wicket, Gayle playing in his first One-Day International in two years, smashed 37 off 27 balls, while Captain Jason Holder top scored with 41 off 33 deliveries.

Stylish- Barbadian right-hander Shai Hope scored an attractive 35, while Rovmam Powell made 22, but no other West Indies batsmen got pass 20.

In reply, England made light work of the target, getting home in the 31st over with Johnny Bairstow celebrating his promotion to the top order with a maiden 100 not out.

Test captain Joe Root chipped in with 54, while all-rounder Ben Stokes came at the fall of the third wicket to seal the victory.